Pat Cresswell & The Cresters

In 1957, Pat Cresswell was working as an interior designer at Hadfields Paint Company in Western Road, Mitcham, Surrey, when he put together his first group “The Blue Hounds” with Colin Johnson on bass and Ian Robinson on Drums. After winning a Skiffle competition at the Baths Hall in Mitcham, covering Carl Perkins' "Honey Dont", Cresswell decided to play only Rock'n'Roll and reorganized the band. He then hired lead guitarist Peter Budd (who worked at Hadfields as well) and his friend Geoffrey Fraser on rhythm guitar (1). Fraser however left shortly after and was replaced by Brian Maidment.The name was changed to “Pat Cresswell & The Crescents”, after Pat's surname, just because it was thought that the Crescents sounded better for the group (2). At the time, they were playing mostly Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran material.

In late 1958, while they were supporting Bert Weedon at a Saturday morning show at the Hammersmith Odeon Cinema, the Crescents were asked to back a new singer who had the same clothes that Pat Cresswell had: a Light Gray jacket, black shirt and black pants. His name was Brian Holden, and was later changed to Vince Taylor...

Pat Cresswell & the Crescents later recorded some demos that were never released for sales, and included "What I'd Say", "Whole lotta Of Shaking Going On", "Brand new Cadillac", "I want You To Know", "Dreaming", "Living Doll", "Never Mind", and "Cresta Run" (an instrumental written by Peter Budd).

By then they became very well known in the West London area - playing residencies at large ballrooms such as the Boat house at Kew Bridge, the Airport Bowl at Heathrow - playing five nights a week.By mid-59, Peter Budd moved to Rodney Ward & the Hi Fi's, replacing a young Jeff Beck (3), who then joined The Deltones (as a replacement for Jim Duncombe).As a result, Pat Cresswell recruited bass player Ray Halsey and guitarist Harvey Hinsley both from Davy & the Cats.He later threw Ian Robinson out and brought the remaining Cat, John Aldridge in on drums. They were also augmented by saxophone player Neville Hounslow. They needed him for Duane Eddy and Johnny & the Hurricanes stuff. But this was a fairly short-lived line-up as Cresswell finally left in turn at the end of 1960 and tried to form a band with a lead guitarist and a bass guitarist plus Mitch Mitchell (Georgie Fame, Jimi Hendrix ect.) who overplayed. The quartet played for the one and only gig in Southall Middlesex but it didnt work (4). So that Pete Lindsey, promoter of gigs, wouldn't take them on.

Pat Cresswell then decided to form the Cresters , after the name "Crester Run", with Peter Budd on lead, and the remaining Cats, Sydney Hayden on Rhythm Guitar and John Aldrich on Drums, plus Dave Strugnall on Bass guitar. After this Lindsey gave them gigs. A few months later, Cresswell left and the Cresters kept together with a new singer before resuming as an instrumental band.

Peter Budd left in 1962 to join Sonny Stewart & The dynamoes in Germany. He later worked with Dave Dacosta & the Strollers, Rory Blackwell, Earl Sheridan & the House Shakers, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Gene Vincent amongst others.

In the meanwhile, Pat Cresswell joined a band called "The Starfires" as the singer... He then formed a couple of duos and finished up playing guitar and singing on his own with backing tracks (5)."

(1) Peter Budd and Geoffrey Fraser both from a South London-based outfit called the “Blue Suedes”

(2) Pat Cresswell"After the skiffle went out of style, we started "The Blue Hounds" group. It was when Pete Budd and Brian Maidment joined that the name was changed to the Crescents because of my name Cresswell. It was thought that the Crescents sounded better for the group."

(3) Peter Budd"When I first practiced with Rodney Ward there was a reel to reel tape recorder sitting there and I asked Rodney who is belonged to? He said the last guitar player. It had an extra head to get an echo sound so I used it for the rehearsal. Suddenly the door opened and in walks this young kid and swore at me as it belonged to him. He took it away and his name was Jeff Beck...Jeff and I went to the same school. Elmwood Park high School in Beddington South London. He was a couple of years younger..."

(4) Pat Cresswell"When I left the Crescents, I met a lead guitarist and a bass guitarist and we got together to try to form a band, I phoned a drummer who I think was Mitch Mitchell and we played for the one and only gig in Southall Middlesex...It was rubbish!"

(5) Pat Cresswell"I met Peter Budd again, and with the drummer from the Crescent, the Cresters were formed, with Sid Hayden and a bass guitarist.Peter played more instrumentals--and the same as the crescents "hits" of the day and rock/roll etc.I think the Cresters were from the name "Crester Run".After a while I left , the Cresters kept together and in the meanwhile I joined a band called "The Starfires" as the singer... That was the last band I was in, since then I've been in a couple of duos and finished up playing guitar and singing on my own with backing tracks."